The Phoenix Trio
There was an eerie silence that threatened to take over everything and then all of a sudden a voice filled with pain, gloom, misery but was somehow soothing to the people around in the manor was heard. The voice was heard couple of years back and since that day terrible things had started happening. Folks of the local village gathered outside the manor hoping to know something, anything but it became suddenly quiet….
The manor was no ordinary place it was magnificent, it was 3 storey's tall with splendid architecture reflecting a healthy combination between modern and ancient artwork featuring beautifully designed square towers with each tower having a different animal on top. The towers facing the gate had an enormous lion and a deadly snake protecting the boundaries while the other two had an eagle with a badger like they were sensing every movement around. The pillars had striking carvings with rosewood and a kaleidoscope of stained glass and mirrors which reflected the fountain in the centre which was blazing.
The fountain had a phoenix statue which was dazzling silver in color gave an impression that it was on fire but indeed it was giving out water. In a true sense it looked like a royal house which was glowing. This attracted even more onlookers, with a loud bang the phoenix in the garden became golden and the rays overtook the whole castle like manor and it disappeared from view like nothing ever existed.
This would have to be considered out of the ordinary and it was the phoenix mansion as it was known to the locals there just disappeared. The locals understood the meaning immediately and one by one the entire village disappeared save a few house which looked as ordinary as possible. The only thing magical remaining was the name at the gate, Hammersmith
The sky seemed to be whimpering with the dark powers overtaking and all around only one ray of hope resided with the boy-who-lived and all of them prayed a silent prayer that he would relive them from the worst.
Far away as if the prayers were heard a boy got up in the middle of night and sweat beads had formed his forehead…the boy was skinny and had jet black hair; which were sticking in every direction making it look windswept. Overall he looked ordinary except the lightening shaped scar across his forehead that made him extraordinary. Harry Potter sighed another nightmare. He rubbed his scar which was tingling and tried to sleep again. It has just been two days since his early arrival from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry where the headmaster of the school Albus Dumbledore had been murdered ruthlessly by none other than by Severes Snape a fellow professor at the school. Merlin how much Harry hated him and was cursing himself for being naïve and letting Snape get the best of all of them. In his guilt he almost missed the popping sound coming from the perfectly manicured lawns of Pivet Drive 4 but the hair on his neck stood up as a warning. He got up alert with his wand in his hand and fervently practicing apparating in his head. What were the 3 D's again?
There was a knock on the door, now the death eaters would never knock would they? The door openened creaking in the hinges and he he saw a figure with shattered robes and a grey haired man with kind eyes looking up to him smiling. Harry didn't lower his wand. Remus Lupin the man said, "Harry lower your wand its me" but Harry didn't do it and was confused and shocked at his appearance but pleased nevertheless and said, 'Prove it'..
"I am a werewolf who is planning to marry tonks and I am moony one of the mauderers who taught you how to make apatronus in your third year to fight against the dementors", said Remus.
Relieved Harry lowered his wand and gave a tight hug to Remus who returned it ever so lovingly. 'Harry I need you to come with me now I have to make u meet someone very important who apparently you should have known about a long time back but neither me or Sirius came about telling you about her'. At Sirius's name Harry looked at Remus and a glint of sadness in his eyes flickered and Harry wondered who the person might be who had a connection to both Remus and Sirius….His heart started beating at the possibility of the person being sent by Dumbledore. He was so lost in making the connection that he followed Remus to the hall where he was scribbling something…
What are you doing moony?
Remus gave a small smile at the use of his nickname and explained he was writing a note to Dursleys so when they come home they know where you are and that you are safe
That would scare them, said Harry
'They will be worried if you are late', Moony said frowning
'Highly doubtful'...
"But if something happens…and Harry cut him saying
'They will get mad if I come back alive and that their prayers have not been answered!
Still Remus left a note and they both left walking through the front door. Tagging alongside Remus Harry asked swallowing a lump… "How are you doing?"
Remus looked at the boy who was forced to grow up and it looked like he had an added burden to his face; he decided Harry was to be treated as an adult now…he deserved at least that much...You want the truth..?
Bewildered Harry nodded...
Remus said,' Harry the order is in a mess obviously all of are grieving but we are all scared too since it's like we have lost our sense of direction. Mad-Eye is trying to hold it but its turning out to be pretty difficult especially with the giants who seemed to now be showing clear signs of joining Voldemort since..{there was a sad pause} Dumbledore is gone and so are the werewolves who have completely lost faith so you see Voldemort is in a win-win situation...the bloody snake-face'
Harry listened patiently since it looked Remus really wanted to take it out and Harry was glad Remus was taking him seriously now…"It is going to get worse I have a feeling especially for the muggles and the muggleborn wizards," said Harry.
They were heading towards Mrs. Figgs house the squib who lived next door to Harry in Pivet drive and she opened the door on Remus's knocking with a half smile and gestured upstairs. Remus took the stairs and Harry followed saying a hello to Mrs. Fig who nodded…
The room was circular and was lit by many candles which gave it a pearly glow except the smell of overcooked cabbage made Harry cringe…Harry looked at the occupant she seemed to be his age who was wearing black robes and looked like a mess but still had a royal sense of belonging. She seemed extremely pretty with her bloodshot eyes which looked like she had been crying but the most striking feature were her eyes which were so damn familiar…his thoughts were cut across with Remus talking...'Harry now this may come across as a shock but you had a godmother named Phoenix who died a long time and she is her daughter Eleanor. She insisted on meeting you and said it was really urgent and so I had to arrange this meeting and couldn't inform you earlier about it due t security reasons also...Harry nodded and Remus left the room leaving the door ajar. Eleanor humphed at that and made a movement at which the door charmed shut itself and Harry gasped at the 'wandless magic' he had just seen and looked impressed since he was ready to bet there was a silenco charm also placed
She then said, I don't want us to be overheard, I was hoping to meet you on happier circumstances but given that. Her voice cracked a great deal but she calmed herself down. Harry was never great at emotional girls; they made him uncomfortable but somehow all he could feel was pity for this good looking stranger. 'Harry its complicated and I don't know from where to start but here it goes I am not only the daughter of your godmother but a distant relation to Albus Dumbeldore. My mother and your parents were best friends all their life...anyways getting to the point Harry I know about the horcruxes and also about your task ahead…."
Hearing about his godmother wasn't so shocking as this and it must have appeared on his face since Eleanor continued with ignoring his expressions.
"Harry Dumbledore also informed me about the horcruxes and also your task ahead and Harry I have a request"and a with a bated breadth she continued "I would like to join you in finding and destroying them…He lost a hand while destroying one and I shudder to think our state and plus. Harry just cut her…
'Eleanor why hasn't Dumbledore even mentioned once about you and together?' Harry gulped caz he himself didn't know how he was going about it and plus he wasn't so sure about Ron & Hermoine (his best friends) would leave him alone...
Eleanor seemed to be expecting this and said..."Harry I know you don't know me but trust me I know what I am talking. Harry we will have to undertake rigorous training and lots of other work and also Dumbeldore has left you a letter, which she gave it to Harry"….Before Harry could open the latter a fireball appeared out of nowhere which made Harry pull Eleanor closer but she brushed it of aside smiling and started stroking the fireball which instantly tuned into a beautiful bird with red feathers which Harry instantly recognized and cried out aloud "fawkes"
Harry stood speechless as the bird perched upon his shoulder and his hand involuntarily started stroking it with his eyes glistening with tears.
'Lo fawkes! The bird just nuzzled Harry and this seemed to provide him comfort and the bird left a low whistle which seemed to say "trust your instincts" after which fawkes flew and steeled himself comfortably on Eleanor. Harry looked up and saw Eleanor smile up at him and gaze adoringly at the bird. She nodded and with trembling hands opened the letter;
The Phoenix Manor
Dearest Harry,
My child, my brave child I apologize on not being there in person to make you meet your childhood friend but circumstances prevented it. This letter in your hand could mean only one thing that I have lived my life and passed on. Harry I sincerely request you to not grieve over my death, the living should be pitied not the dead.
I hereby leave you for your journey the sorting hat which can be borrowed at the time of need and hope that you can make full use of it. I also leave my pensive for all the crowded thoughts and only wish for you to keep an open mind. I leave your friend Mr. Ronald Weasley my mirror and deluminator to make sure he is always aware. I leave Miss Hermoine Granger my personal collection of books which have to be shared with Eleanor.
I wanted to share much more with you but son trust your instincts and keep your friends closer but always remember help will be given to those who deserve it.
May you have a long life ahead.
Albus Percival WulfricBrian Dumbledore
Harry was disheartened and to some extent relieved on knowing he had something of Dumbeldore to hold on to. There was no mention of Horcruxes nothing save the curious things he had left behind for Ron and the underlined word Wulfric. He looked at Eleanor who was busy patting fawkes with a saddest expression but both the bird and her were looking intentionally in each other eyes like they were having a conversation. He coughed a little blushing a little like he had interrupted something when Eleanor looked at him with curious eyes. He didn't mention anything from the letter but told her to explain everything. It was more than two hours when Harry and Eleanor left the room after discussing everything riht from his stay to training, to the letter which he in the end landed up sharing with her. Just before heading out the room, Eleanor handed him a curled up paper and asked him to open it at his house. He quickly put it in his pocket and started heading downstairs and saw a very funny scene.
Remus was sleeping on the couch in a very awkward angle with his mouth half open and the whole couch seemed to be trembling by his weight. Harry didn't know what went trhough him but he suddenly though if he could upturn the couch and he was shocked when it happened. Remus was thrown down and all the fur which hung on the opposite wall fell on him making it look like he was wearing different color wigs…
"I didn't do it! I swear lily..! James and Sirius made me do it…They thought green was the best color and harry enjoyed it too ask him"...exclaimed Remus on waking up and stopped instantly sniffing the fur and started sneezing…
Harry and Eleanor's eyebrows shot up and while he bursted out laughing Eleanor just gave a half smile...all the commotion seemed to have woken up Mrs. Figg who came out wearing the most bizarre nightgown which was bright orange in color and Harry was sure to bet it was cat fur. Harry and Remus hid a smile and said their goodbyes. Eleanor held fawkes and with a final wave disappeared with the bird.
Harry still had a hint of a smile while walking back to his house with Remus who was blushing and cringing at the fur smell and it seemed to do him good since he would start smiling too…Remus insisted on leaving Harry to his bedroom door which irritated Harry to some extent,' Harry will see you soon. You take care and try to stay out of danger and I know I know (as it looked Harry was going to interrupt) danger rushes towards you but this time try stepping aside'…and with that he left...
Harry fell on his bed and saw outside the first ray of sunlight and the early birds chirping and fell asleep thinking finally he was doing something that was worthwhile which added to his determination.